clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel 
1
: the shell of a clam
2
a
: a bucket or grapple (as on a dredge) having two hinged jaws
b
: an excavating machine having a clamshell
c
: either of a pair of doors (as in an airplane tail) that open out and away from each other
d
: a hinged container, case, or cover that opens like the shell of a clam
Examples of clamshell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Keeping your feet together, lift your top knee—like the opening of a clamshell.
—
Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024
There’s only one main compartment inside instead of a clamshell design, and the capacity is much smaller than Calpak’s hardside carry-ons — but the payoff is a supremely lightweight bag and compact size that would come in handy on flights with tighter overhead bins.
—Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024
The debris will be removed later from the river bottom with excavators and a clamshell dredge.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2024
The clamshell Flip 6 may be less changed from the previous model, but it’s expected to see some other key updates.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 7 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamshell 
Laura Campedelli, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024
There’s only one main compartment inside instead of a clamshell design, and the capacity is much smaller than Calpak’s hardside carry-ons — but the payoff is a supremely lightweight bag and compact size that would come in handy on flights with tighter overhead bins.
—Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024
The debris will be removed later from the river bottom with excavators and a clamshell dredge.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2024
The clamshell Flip 6 may be less changed from the previous model, but it’s expected to see some other key updates.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 7 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for clamshell
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clamshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clamshell
Cite this Entry
“Clamshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamshell. Accessed 10 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clamshell
noun
clam·shell
ˈklam-ˌshel
: the shell of a clam
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